The Benefits and Effectiveness
of Outpatient Anxiety Treatment

Learn about the effectiveness of outpatient anxiety treatment to reclaim your life and heal amidst daily commitments.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

Overview of Outpatient Anxiety Treatment

Lack of outpatient anxiety treatment options can increase the risk of untreated anxiety disorders, leading to worsening symptoms, decreased quality of life, and impaired functioning.

Untreated anxiety can also contribute to developing co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis, which affects overall well-being — mental, physical, and spiritual.

Our team at Skyline Recovery Center (SRC) understands the challenges that people may face in getting anxiety treatment. This is why we’ve developed a comprehensive outpatient treatment approach that is both flexible and cost-effective.

Our outpatient anxiety treatment is most suitable for individuals with work, school, or family responsibilities who can’t commit to a full-time residential treatment program.

Outpatient Anxiety Treatment

What is Outpatient Anxiety Treatment?

Outpatient anxiety treatment is a therapeutic approach that helps address symptoms of anxiety disorders while allowing individuals to maintain their daily routines and responsibilities.
Unlike inpatient or residential treatment, where individuals need to stay in a facility for long periods of time, an outpatient treatment plan is flexible and accessible. This allows patients to get the treatment they need without having to take time off work or school.
During an outpatient anxiety treatment plan, individuals will attend scheduled therapy sessions, support groups, medication appointments, and other therapeutic activities as needed.

Our outpatient anxiety treatment plans are collaboratively designed between patients and their treatment team, with a focus on underlying anxiety causes and triggers to promote overall well-being.

Treatment Modalities in Outpatient Anxiety Treatment Programs

Our treatment modalities help us address the multifaceted nature of anxiety disorders and provide a comprehensive and tailored approach to managing symptoms.
Here are some of our key treatment modalities:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment approach that helps people identify and change destructive thought patterns that cause negative behaviors or emotions.
CBT combines cognitive therapy with behavioral therapy by highlighting maladaptive thinking patterns and replacing them with more desirable ones.1

What Techniques Are Used in CBT?

Below are some of the major techniques used in cognitive-behavioral therapy to help individuals heal from anxiety and other symptoms:
  1. Identifying negative thoughts: This involves learning the thoughts, feelings, and situations that contribute to maladaptive behaviors. This learning process can be difficult for people struggling with introspection. However, understanding one’s thoughts can help self-discovery and provide insights that are essential for treatment.
  2. Practicing new skills: During CBT, our team teaches new skills that clients can use in real-world situations against symptoms of anxiety. Individuals can practice these coping skills in their day-to-day lives to deal with situations that may trigger a relapse.
  3. Goal setting: Another important step in recovery from anxiety through CBT is setting goals. During CBT, therapists will help individuals strengthen their goal-setting ability. It may involve teaching individuals how to identify those goals and distinguish between short-term and long-term ones.
  4. Problem-solving: This helps the individual identify and solve problems that may arise from life stressors. The therapist helps identify the problem, generate a list of solutions, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the solutions, and choose a viable solution.
  5. Self-monitoring: This involves tracking behaviors, symptoms, and experiences and sharing them with the therapist. Self-monitoring can provide the information the therapist needs to provide the best treatment.

Mindfulness-Based Techniques

Mindfulness-based techniques help ease symptoms of anxiety by helping individuals turn inward and learn how to focus on what’s happening in the present rather than past experiences.
Unlike treatment modalities like CBT, mindfulness doesn’t have a distinct methodology. It instead teaches individuals how to focus their attention on their daily lives.
Here are some common mindfulness-based techniques used in therapy:2
  • Mindfulness meditation: During mindfulness meditation, the individual directs his or her awareness to their breath, bodily sensations, or sensory experiences. They also learn to observe their thoughts and emotions without getting caught up in them. This builds a sense of calm, clarity, and non-reactivity.
  • Mindful breathing: This involves focusing on the sensation of the breath entering and leaving the nostrils, along with the rise and fall of the chest. Mindful breathing typically promotes relaxation and regulates the nervous system, helping individuals manage anxiety.

Medication Management

Medication management for anxiety involves the use of psychotropic medications to alleviate anxiety symptoms and improve overall functioning.

These medications target neurotransmitters in the brain to regulate mood, reduce excessive worrying, and reduce physiological symptoms of anxiety like muscle tension or rapid heartbeat.
Classes of medications commonly used in the management of anxiety disorders are:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are antidepressant medications that increase serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter for mood regulation. They have fewer side effects compared to tricyclic antidepressants. However, they still do have some side effects, which may include insomnia and weight gain.3

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

SNRIs help increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Medical professionals typically prescribe SNRIs for individuals who don’t respond adequately to SSRIs or as an alternative first-line treatment.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are sedative-hypnotic medications that enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is a neurotransmitter that inhibits neuronal activity in the brain. Benzodiazepines are good for short-term management of acute anxiety symptoms.

Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers are commonly used for treating high blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias. However, they may also be prescribed off-label for managing anxiety symptoms. Beta-blockers typically don’t cause severe side effects, but some potential side effects are fatigue, dizziness, and drowsiness.

Buspirone

Buspirone helps treat short-term anxiety and long-term anxiety disorders. However, as an anxiolytic medication, it may take several weeks to achieve its therapeutic effects.

What Are the Benefits of Outpatient Anxiety Treatment?

Understanding the benefits of outpatient anxiety treatment helps individuals with making informed decisions about their mental healthcare.
Here are some of the key benefits of outpatient anxiety treatment:

Flexibility and Accessibility

Our outpatient anxiety treatment offers flexibility in scheduling therapy sessions and appointments. Individuals can attend sessions at times that are convenient for their schedules without having problems with work, school, or family commitments.
Compared to inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment is typically available in local mental health clinics, outpatient facilities, and counseling centers. This reduces the barriers to outpatient anxiety treatment and increases the likelihood of receiving support for anxiety symptoms.

Gradual Exposure

Outpatient anxiety treatment programs offer gradual exposure therapy or systematic desensitization. It helps individuals confront and overcome fears and anxieties in a controlled and gradual manner.

In outpatient settings, the therapist works collaboratively with individuals to identify specific fears, triggers, or situations that contribute to anxiety symptoms. Together, they develop a personalized exposure hierarchy, which outlines the plan for confronting those fears.

During gradual exposure, the individual is systematically exposed to anxiety-provoking stimuli or situations, starting with those that evoke mild anxiety and gradually progressing to more challenging scenarios.

Benefits of Gradual Exposure in Outpatient Treatment

One of the most significant benefits of gradual exposure in outpatient anxiety treatment is its empowering nature. Once individuals confront feared situations in a controlled environment, they gradually build confidence in their ability to manage anxiety and handle stressors.
Each successful exposure experience reinforces a sense of mastery and control.

Community Support

At Skyline Recovery Center, our outpatient anxiety program incorporates community support mechanisms, such as peer support and group therapy.
These support mechanisms play crucial roles in enhancing the treatment experience and outcomes for individuals experiencing anxiety and co-occurring disorders. Some common types of community support individuals can benefit from include:

Peer Support Groups

Peer support groups involve individuals who have experienced similar mental health challenges. They offer mutual support and provide practical advice.
Joining a peer support group gives individuals a sense of belonging. It also gives people confidence in knowing that their feelings are valid, which is crucial for building self-esteem and reducing self-stigma.
Hearing stories of successes and progress in a peer support group gives hope and motivation for individuals to continue their journey to recovery and healing.

Group Therapy

Group therapy involves a licensed therapist leading a group of individuals through therapeutic sessions to address anxiety and related issues.
Group therapy encourages:4
  • Shared learning: Group therapy provides an opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences and coping strategies. The collective support from group therapy enhances the treatment and management of anxiety symptoms.
  • Social skills development: Participating in group therapy helps individuals practice and improve their social skills in a supportive environment. This is particularly helpful for those experiencing social anxiety disorder, as it provides a safe space for social interactions.
  • Emotional support: During group therapy, members can express their emotions, share struggles, and receive empathy from others undergoing similar experiences.
  • Accountability: Group therapy fosters a sense of accountability among members. Knowing that others are invested in their progress can motivate them to stay committed to treatment plans and make consistent efforts to recover.

SRC: Your Support Through Outpatient Anxiety Treatment

At Skyline Recovery Center, we are committed to delivering a wide range of evidence-based therapies and support systems to effectively manage anxiety disorders.
We offer evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and mindfulness-based techniques to address anxiety.
Our psychiatric providers also work closely with clients to evaluate the need for medication, monitor its effectiveness, and make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal symptom management with minimal side effects.

Get Support From Our Team of Highly Skilled Professionals

At Skyline Recovery Center, our team is comprised of highly skilled and experienced mental health professionals dedicated to providing quality care.
Our staff includes:
  • Licensed Therapists: Our therapists use evidence-based practices to help clients develop effective coping strategies.
  • Psychologists: Our psychologists conduct thorough assessments and provide tailored treatment plans based on the latest research in anxiety disorders.
  • Medical Doctors: Our medical doctors can prescribe medication and help track treatment progress throughout the healing process.
  • Addiction Specialists: Our addiction specialists know how to help those who have struggles with substances, co-occurring disorders, and other symptoms. 

Our Holistic Approach to Outpatient Anxiety Treatment

Skyline Recovery Center adopts a holistic approach to outpatient anxiety treatment by recognizing the importance of addressing the multifaceted nature of anxiety. Our integrated approach to treatment includes:

Therapy Integration

We combine various therapeutic modalities based on the individual’s needs to address the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects of anxiety. This way, we can ensure treatment is tailored to each person’s specific needs.

Stress Reduction Techniques

We incorporate stress reduction techniques like mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises to help manage stress and anxiety symptoms effectively.
Below are some other common stress reduction techniques:
  • Yoga: This combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to enhance physical flexibility and improve mental clarity.
  • Art Therapy: This uses creative expression through drawing, painting, or sculpting to provide a non-verbal outlet for expressing emotions and reducing stress.
  • Physical Exercise: This involves engaging in physical activities like walking, running, or swimming to promote physical and emotional wellness. 

Mind-Body Connection

We understand that there’s a connection between mental and physical health. For this reason, we treat every individual as a whole person, addressing physical and emotional symptoms or causes of anxiety.
Outpatient Anxiety Treatment

Healing Starts at Skyline Recovery Center

Skyline Recovery Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate, and holistic care that empowers you to manage anxiety effectively.
Through our evidence-based treatments, experienced professionals, and our integrated approach to well-being, we aim to be a trusted partner in your journey to wellness.
Our outpatient anxiety treatment program is designed to allow you to enjoy the flexibility and accessibility to treatment. It also includes a tailored therapy plan that addresses the specific needs, preferences, and circumstances of each person.

Begin Your Journey to Wholeness Today — The Sky’s the Limit!

Embark on your journey to wholeness with Skyline Recovery Center’s outpatient anxiety treatment plan. We are dedicated to empowering you to manage anxiety and reclaim your life through accessible, effective, and compassionate care.
Our comprehensive services, provided by experienced professionals, offer personalized treatment plans that integrate evidence-based therapies and holistic wellness activities.

Let us support you in taking that crucial step towards lasting well-being and mental health. Start your journey with us today and experience the transformative impact of your outpatient anxiety treatment program.